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Min 09/23/1980 171 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building September 23, 1980 Items 1 & 2 The Board of Aldermen of the City of Wichita Falls , Texas, met in called session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o'clock A.M. , with the following members present. Kenneth Hill Mayor Marvin Traywick John Hampton, Jr. Carol Russell Aldermen James B. Thomas Horace 0. Boston Robert D. Haley Acting City Manager Kyle Morrison Assistant City Attorney Gerald Carlson Chief Accounting Officer Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk Curtis Smith Absent The invocation was given by Alderman Hampton. Item 3 Moved by Alderman Thomas that minutes of the meeting held September 16, 1980, be approved. Motion seconded by Alderman Russell , and carried unanimously. Item 4a The public hearing was opened on the annual budget and work program for 1980-81 . Acting City Manager Robert Haley noted the additional $12,000 previously approved for fire station repair. He also suggested that the two policy changes agreed upon should be formally adopted. These changes include a change in stability payments to provide that computations of payments will be based on the total basic salary of all employees having more than five years service, except Civil Service employees. The other change is the additional floating holiday. Moved by Alderman Hampton that the personnel matters concerning stability pay and the additional floating holiday be approved. Motion seconded by Alderman Thomas , and carried unanimously. Mayor Hill asked Mr. Haley for the staff recommendations on salaries for the Fire Department. Acting City Manager Robert Haley offered an alternative of fifteen percent increase for the Fire Department. It would cost an additional $77,250 to fund the additional three percent. A higher fuel rate was anticipated and budgeted, and he feels the salary increase can be funded from that within the existing budget, and not affect the overall tax rate. Mayor Hill stated that they recognize that an additional three percent is j not that much money. They are aware that other departments in the City are possibly just as far behind other cities in salaries as the Fire Department. He stated that he was shocked that they were that much behind. He stated that this is an indication on the part of the Council that beginning next year they will begin to bring all salaries in line with other cities. Alderman Thomas commented that these figures don' t all tell the same story. It could be that some of these cities have activities that some of us don't have. i i I 172 Item 4a, cont'd. He asked Janet Hardegree, Personnel Director, if in other cities there is work performed outside their regular duties? Mrs. Hardegree stated that she did not know. They only get into their regular duties. Fire Chief Hurshel Johnson stated that they have an on-going building survey program. This is beneficial to the firemen to know the buildings when a fire occurs. It assists them in bringing the fire under control . Alderman Thomas stated that one of the things they will be wanting to do is to make better use of a division of labor. He asked if the Fire Department will be willing to help keep costs down wherever they can? Chief Johnson stated that they would. Licensing was mentioned as a function of some fire departments. Mayor Hill asked if Waco does more than our fire department in order to receive $2,500 to $4,000 per year more than Wichita Falls? If this difference is found in other departments, he would like to see the City bring all of them up. Alderman Thomas inquired if there are any fringe benefits available to the higher salaried people than we have? Mrs. Hardegree stated that fringe benefits are pretty equal . The Fire Department has their own pension system. The City contributes 7z percent to the fire pension plan, and 5 percent to the city retire- ment plan. Health and life insurance are the same for both. She stated that other cities contribute 5 to 72 percent. Alderman Thomas asked about vacancies in the Fire Department. Chief Johnson stated that for a few years it was hard to get people, but the last time an examination was offered they had an abundance of applicants. One hundred seven applied; sixty took the exam; and forty-seven passed, for nine openings. Alderman Thomas stated that it must be a very fine job, and that the Chief, Battalion Chiefs, and Lieutenants must be very fine, with that record. The Fire Department has 145 people, with seven to nine turnovers annually the last few years. Alderman Thomas agreed that we need to be fair with all our salaries, but we also need to be fair with the taxpayers money. Alderman Traywick asked Mrs. Hardegree how long it will take to complete a salary study, and make recommendations to the Council on realignment of salaries? Mrs. Hardegree stated that it would take about six months. Alderman Traywick stated that if we give the firemen an additional increase, then we are giving them preferential treatment. If we acted on that basis, then every department would feel free to come forward and plead their case. He stated that they would want to utilize a more rational basis on using monies, other than oil monies. He does not feel that we can isolate the firemen, but look at the circumstances of everyone. Mayor Hill called for a motion to implement a 15 percent increase for the firemen, but no motion was made. Mayor Hill stated that they will certainly look into this for the coming year. Alderman Traywick asked if we could implement a mid-year change in salaries? Mr. Morrison, Assistant City Attorney, stated that he knew of no charter provision that addressed this matter. Mrs. Hardegree stated that there are many cities who do this, and she recommended that it be done, with perhaps a ten percent increase at that time. By so doing, it would lessen the effect on October 1 , 1981 for the next fiscal year. The public hearing was closed. Item 4b An ordinance was presented adopting the annual budget and work program for 1980-81 . ORDINANCE NO. 3732 AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT, MAINTENANCE, BUILDINGS, AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CITY WICHITA FALLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1 , 1980, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1981 , BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE, ADOPTING THE BUDGET FIGURES AND ACCOUNTS AS PART OF SAID APPROPRIATIONS, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. 173 Item 4b, cont'd. Moved by Alderman Thomas that Ordinance No. 3732 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Traywick, and carried by the following vote. Ayes : Mayor Hill , Aldermen Traywick, Hampton, Russell , Thomas, and Boston Nays: None Item 4c A proposed ordinance was presented establishing the tax rate for the 1980-81 fiscal year. Alderman Thomas commented that he does not like the idea of increasing the tax rate, but feels that the facts of life dictate it. ORDINANCE NO. 3733 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING, ASSESSING AND FIXING THE TAX RATE FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE INTEREST AND SINKING FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1980-81 AND APPORTIONING EACH LEVY FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND PROVIDING FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ANNUAL OCCUPATION TAXES PROVIDED BY LAW, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Alderman Thomas that Ordinance No. 3733 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Hampton, and carried by the following vote. Ayes : Mayor Hill , Aldermen Traywick, Hampton, Russell , Thomas, and Boston Nays: None Item 4d The public hearing was opened on the general revenue sharing budget for 1980-81 . Acting City Manager Robert Haley stated that all we can do is go on what has been anticipated until congressional action is taken. Mayor Hill noted that they are trying to cut that portion of revenue sharing going to the states. The public hearing was closed. Item 4e ORDINANCE NO. 3734 ! AN ORDINANCE MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE REVENUE SHARING TRUST ! FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBERS LISTED BELOW, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moved by Alderman Traywick that Ordinance No. 3734 be passed, appropriating 1 375 000 from revenue sharing. u $ .g Motion seconded by Alderman Hampton, and carried by the following vote. j Ayes: Mayor Hill , Aldermen Traywick, Hampton, Russell , Thomas, and Boston Nays : None Item 5a Acting City Manager Robert Haley noted that this is the last time he will ' be sitting here in this capacity. He thanked his friends , staff, and the Council for their support, stating that he had learned a lot. Mayor Hill expressed the Council 's appreciation for his work. Alderman Thomas commented to J. C. Boyd that things are going on downtown, and looking better. Behind the scenes work has to have contributed to this action. i i 174 Item 5a, cont'd. J. C. Boyd stated that the whole midtown program is beginning to flower. The Midtown 2000 Plan has been promoted for three years, and it is coming around some now. There is no way they could have done it without complete cooperation between the City and the business community. Mayor Hill announced that the Council will go into executive session to consider personnel matters following adjournment. The Board of Aldermen adjourned at 9:15 A.M. PASSED AND APPROVED this day ofr, ��t� 1980. C, MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK